5.

POTENTIAL PROBLEMS
5.1 DEVIATION FROM THE LIMITATIONS GIVEN IN THE APPROVED
LOADING MANUAL
Exceeding the permissible limits specified in the ship's approved loading manual will
lead to over-stressing of the ship's structure and may result in catastrophic failure of the
hull structure. When deviating from the cargo load conditions contained in the ship's
approved loading manual, it is necessary to ensure that both the global and local
structural limits are not exceeded. It is important to be aware that over-stressing of local
structural members can occur even when the hull girder still water shear forces (SWSF)
and bending moments (SWBM) are within their permissible limits.
Exceeding the maximum permissible cargo load in any hold will lead to over-stressing of local
structure. Over-stressing of the local structure will occur when:

The weight of cargo loaded into a hold exceeds the maximum permissible value specified at full
draught.

The weight of cargo loaded into adjacent holds exceeds the maximum combined value at full or
reduced draught.

Over-stressing of the local structure may also occur when the weight of cargo loaded into an
individual hold has insufficient support of upward buoyancy force; this circumstance can occur
when cargo is transported by the ship in a shallow draught condition (for example, partial load
condition with some holds full and remaining holds empty).

5.2 LOADING CARGO IN A SHALLOW DRAUGHT CONDITION

To minimise the risks of over-stressing the local structure, the largest possible number of
non-successive pours should be used for each cargo hold.
Loading cargo in a shallow draught condition can impose high stresses in the double bottom, cross
deck and transverse bulkhead structures if the cargo in the hold is not adequately supported by the
buoyancy upthrust. If applicable, the cargo weight limits for each cargo hold, and two adjacent
cargo holds, as a function of draught, (the local loading criteria) are not to be exceeded.

5.3 HIGH LOADING RATES

High loading rates may cause significant overloading within a very short space of time.
The officer in charge should be prepared to STOP cargo operations if the loading
operation deviates from the agreed loading plan.

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